Massada II - "Through Roman Eyes" Introduction
By Bob the Lethargic

Overview
"I don't want to hear excuses.  I want those damned Jews kicked off my mountain and crucified!"

Vespian is furious.  Jerusalem has fallen.  But the remains of the Jewish Revolt in Judaea have moved into the abandoned mountaintop fortress of Massada and refuse to surrender. Vespian has decided that you must use the Roman legions in Judaea and retake the fortress. He gives you until 83 AD (11 years) in which to accomplish this task and to rebuild the mountaintop.  He will judge your city building like any other Roman governor. But he also expects quick results.  His demands for farm produce will reflect this. And I don't think the Jewish rebels are going to commit suicide this time.

Since you are not a true Roman governor, certain buildings are beyond the capabilities of your military engineers.  Therefore Coliseums, Lion Pits, Chariot Makers, and Hippodrome are not available.  Your engineers have built four military camps, the circumvallation walls around Massada, and  the West ramp for the assault on the fortress.  Three javelin and two infantry forts and three barracks have been built but are not up to full strength.  Our engineers will continue to search but it looks like the rebels control the only clean water available.  They definitely control the only farming areas and you must supply your own food.

Can you repeat history by retaking and then rebuilding the city while gaining Vespian's approval?

Hard Procurator Level - Saved Game City - Desert Scenario with a time limit
Starting funds: 3493 dinarii with 2000 bailout loan from Caesar available
Highest Housing Level: Large Insulae (due to lack of third entertainment type)

Targets
To Win - Population 4000 / Culture 50 / Prosperity 35 / Peace 20 / Favor 75
Current - Population 1128 / Culture 30 / Prosperity 04 / Peace 02 / Favor 51

Trade Partners:
Two land trade routes are available with price changes occurring in the game.
Tarsus: Sells - Clay, Pottery, Marble  & Buys - Wine, Oil
Herosolym: Sells - Wheat, Wine & Buys - Olives, Furniture

Major Important Events
73 AD Jewish rebels move into the Massada Fortress.  Romans begin siege of the fortress.
Apr 73 AD Game starts
79 AD Vespian dies
83 AD Game ends

Disasters
The water is contaminated and occasional iron mine collapses can be expected during the game.

Designer Notes
This is a simulation of the Roman assault on Massada that started in 73 AD.  It's also the first attempt to actually assault a town using the Caesar 3 military limitations.  1000 Jewish rebels fought off the Roman Legions sent to destroy them. The defensive position of the rebels places great emphasis on their use of javelin units firing from elevated terrain. The eastern approach ramp was known as the "Snake Path" and was much easier to defend than the western approach ramp the Romans built. Have fun and let me know what you think of it.  My final score was: Population 4168 / Culture 52 / Prosperity 36 / Peace 44 / Favor 77 with $11,924 and a year to spare.

Bob the Lethargic